Systems and methods for controlling iguana infestation

ABSTRACT

A system and method of controlling iguana infestation is provided. The system and method, being harmless to people and pets, can include a wall barrier, sea barrier, ground barrier, and climbing (tree, piling) barrier. The iguana sea wall barrier prevents iguanas from accessing property from the water. Iguana piling wraps can be included to prohibit access to the property via the dock. Iguana tree guards can be included to prevent iguanas from climbing up into trees.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/263,142filed on Sep. 12, 2016, the content of which is relied upon andincorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 is hereby claimed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

Embodiments in the present description generally relate to pests, andmore particularly to iguanas.

Description of the Related Art

Iguanas are herbivorous lizards with exceptional vision native totropical areas of Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. They rangein size between five (5) and six (6) feet long. Most people are familiarwith the common green iguana. These pests are non-native to NorthAmerica and the infestation of iguanas in the United States have causedhavoc for residents and native species.

South and Central Florida's subtropical climate allows these largeherbivorous (plant-eating) lizards to survive, reproduce, and becomepart of the Florida environment. Three large members of the iguanafamily (Iguanidae) have become established in south Florida.

Adult iguanas are herbivores feeding on foliage, flowers, and fruit.They will occasionally eat animal material such as insects, lizards, andother small animals, nestling birds and eggs. Juveniles eat more animalmaterial, especially insects, and hatchling green iguanas eat thedroppings of adult iguanas to acquire the gut bacteria that help themdigest plant material. Males are territorial against other males, butare not territorial against females and juveniles. These large lizardslike to bask in open areas, sidewalks, docks, seawalls, landscapetimbers, or open mowed areas. If frightened, they dive into water (greeniguanas and basilisks) or retreat into their burrows (spiny tailediguanas). This habit of diving into the water to escape makes greeniguanas very difficult to capture. Basilisks and anoles generally eatinsects and small vertebrate prey, but knight anoles occasionally eatsmall fruits and flowers as well.

Damage caused by iguanas includes eating valuable landscape plants,shrubs, and trees, eating orchids and many other flowers, eatingdooryard fruit like berries, figs, mangos, tomatoes, bananas, lychees,etc. Iguanas do not eat citrus. Burrows that they dig underminesidewalks, seawalls, and foundations. Burrows of iguanas next toseawalls allow erosion and eventual collapse of those seawalls.Droppings of iguanas litter areas where they bask. This is unsightly,causes odor complaints, and is a possible source of Salmonella bacteria,a common cause of food poisoning. Adult iguanas are large powerfulanimals that can bite, cause severe scratch wounds with their extremelysharp claws, and deliver a painful slap with their powerful tail.Iguanas normally avoid people but will defend themselves against petsand people that try to catch them or corner them.

Additionally, they defecate in common public areas such as pools, parks,playgrounds, and docks, causing health risks as their feces carrysalmonella. Moreover, the burrows they dig (up to 9 feet) underminesidewalks, seawalls, and foundations causing structural damage. Asvegetarians, the four-footed reptiles eat their way through landscaping.They sunbathe during the day and cozy up in treetops by night. They canlay as many as three dozen eggs in a single burrow. Although iguanas aredocile, there are many reported incidents where they have harmed petsand individuals. As with any species, they are territorial, the moredominant males will push the less dominant males to surrounding areas,which leads to infestation.

If you simply remove an iguana from a facility, another will come totake its place. Instead, an effective solution is to create anenvironment so the iguana decides against nesting on your property.Hence, there is a long pending need to have a system and method ofcontrolling iguanas.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, the comprehensive systems and methodsassists in creating an environment of controlling iguana infestation atthe same time being harmless to people and pets. The iguana barriercreates a temporary wall (used on initial treatment of infestedproperty). The iguana sea wall barrier prevents them from accessingproperty from the water. Our iguana piling wraps prohibit access via thedock. The iguana tree guards prevent iguanas from climbing up intotrees. Our products and services have been proven to remove iguana frominfested areas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings, in which like numerals represent similar parts, illustrategenerally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, variousembodiments discussed in the present document.

FIG. 1 illustrates a method for controlling iguana infestation inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an element, a tree wrap, of a system for controllingiguana infestation in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates another element, a piling wrap and end cap, of asystem for controlling iguana infestation in accordance with anembodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates another element, a fence barrier, of a system forcontrolling iguana infestation in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates another element, a wire-mesh deck barrier, of asystem for controlling iguana infestation in accordance with anembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments of the subject matter set forth herein, will bebetter understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceededwith the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding pluralof said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated.Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to beinterpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments thatalso incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitlystated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an elementor a plurality of elements having a particular property may includeadditional such elements not having that property.

To the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detaileddescription or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in amanner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpretedwhen employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, the term“or” as used in either the detailed description or the claims isintended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or.” Thatis, unless specified otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, the phrase “X employs A or B” is satisfied by anyof the following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs bothA and B.

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shownby way of illustration specific embodiments in which the subject matterdisclosed herein may be practiced. These embodiments, which are alsoreferred to herein as “examples,” be described in sufficient detail toenable those skilled in the art to practice the subject matter disclosedherein. It is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined orthat other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural, logical,and electrical variations may be made without departing from the scopeof the subject matter disclosed herein. The following detaileddescription is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and thescope of the subject matter disclosed herein is defined by the appendedclaims and their equivalents. In the description that follows, likenumerals or reference designators will be used to refer to like parts orelements throughout. In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used,as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one. Inthis document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or,unless otherwise indicated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment”are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence ofadditional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments“comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having aparticular property may include additional such elements not having thatproperty.

FIG. 1 illustrates a method for controlling iguana infestation inaccordance with an embodiment. As iguanas are creatures of habit, whensimply removed the iguana from a property, another will come to take itsplace. Instead, an effective solution is to create an environment so theiguana decides not to nest on your property. The method provided createsa holistic environment to prevent iguana's infestation, while beingharmless to occupants of the property including humans and pets.

The steps of FIG. 1 start with step 10, which comprises marking aboundary (PA) for the property or area that is to be protected from theiguana infestation. The boundary PA for the protected property is realproperty as indicated with the broken line in FIG. 4 . Next, the processincludes step 20, which comprises locating the different elements thatare active in iguana infestation. The different elements that maycontribute to the iguana infestation are the land based access orsea/water based access to the land. In some instances, the iguanas climba vertical structure close to the land and contaminate the land viafecal matter or gain access to such land by jumping inside theboundaries via elevated platforms.

Step 30 comprises introducing vertical climbing barrier systems forcontrolling iguana from climbing vertical elements. FIG. 2 illustratesan element, a tree wrap 200, of a system for controlling iguanainfestation in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates anotherelement, a piling wrap 302, of a system for controlling iguanainfestation in accordance with an embodiment. The method step 30,involving the climbing barrier, includes attaching one or more wraps200, 302 to the vertical structures. The wraps 200, 302 form acontinuous wrap or sleeve around the climbing structure covering a span(e.g., 202) of the vertical structure. These vertical structures mayinclude dock pilings (P), trees (T), electric poles, or the like, or anycombination thereof.

It may be possible that when this vertical barrier system is attached toa tree or piling or the like, that the uneven surface of the treeprovides a space between the vertical barrier (e.g., wrap) and the bodyof the vertical structure. This space may be large enough in someinstances to allow iguanas to crawl between the vertical barrier and thevertical structure. Such space may leave a wrap ineffective inpreventing the iguanas from gaining access to the top of such verticalstructures. The method described in the subject matter herein providesfor a step to overcome these spaces.

The space formed between the vertical barrier and the vertical structuredue to the uneven surface of the vertical structure may be protected byplacing a mesh in the space and filing the space with foam. For example,the mesh is formed into a basket the size of the space and placed insidethe space to prevent an iguana from crawling between the barrier and thewrap. For additional protection, the space is filled with spray foamthereby removing all access to the space for iguanas. Spray foam is achemical product of materials that bubble and expand up to 280 times itsliquid volume after it is sprayed in place. This expansion makes ituseful as a specialty packing material, which forms to the shape of theproduct being packaged and produces a high thermal insulating value withvirtually no air infiltration.

The vertical barrier wrap 200 may be made of a high-density polyethylene(HDPE) or polyethylene high-density (PEHD). Additionally, the wrap maybe UV treated. In some embodiments, for example, the size 202 of thewrap for the vertical barrier may be thirty by thirty inches in size. Aroll of the wrap may be up to 350 feet in length. The color of the wrapmay be a close match to the color of the vertical structure. The stepsinvolved in selecting the wrap may involve measuring the circumferenceof vertical structure at a point where the wrap is to be installed. Forexample, the point of interest for installing the wrap may be where theangle of the vertical structure is greater than forty-five (45) degreesor more, or above other foliage which would allow iguana to climb pastthe barrier. For aesthetic purpose the wrap may be installed at a sameheight 204 for all vertical structures, as shown in FIG. 2 . If multiplewraps are used, they are overlap by at least 3 inches making a straightline edges.

In another example, the vertical barrier wrap may be used for a dockpiling barrier. Similar to the previous method, a user can measure thecircumference of the dock piling P just below support beams. As long asthe high tide does not allow water to touch the piling wrap 302. If hightide causes water to reach the piling wrap, then the piling wrap can beraised to cover supports and trim accordingly. If multiple wraps areused, they can overlap by 3″ making a straight line edges or trimexcess. One example for fastening the piling wrap to the piling P may beto use a drill to create hole in wrap and piling and insert tabs.

Step 40 comprises introducing a land fence barrier system forcontrolling iguana from walking via land. FIG. 4 illustrates a meshfence barrier 104, of a system for controlling iguana infestation inaccordance with an embodiment, between the horizontal rail 108 and thefence wrap 102. The method may further include configuring an iguanaspecific fence wrap 102. This fence wrap 102 will prevent iguana fromclimbing up and over the fence thus restrict the iguanas from crawlingover land to gain access to the land being protected.

The fence wrap 102 comprises one or more horizontally spanning fencewraps attached to at least the fence's outer face 101 at a certainheight above the ground with a matt side of the plate 101 forming theunattached side. In an optional embodiment of the subject matterdescribed herein, the fence wrap 102 is placed both the outside/exterior(E) and the inside of the fence.

The fence wrap 102 forms a continuous band around the entire perimeterof the fence 100. In some embodiments, the fence wrap 102 is at leasthalf the average toe to toe length of iguana. For example, the fencewrap 102 is at least three inches high. In some embodiments, the fence100 is a picket fencing with the spacing 110 between vertical boardsbeing at least two inch or less. Additionally, the height at which thefence wraps are placed is at least one and a half feet above the groundsurface (GS).

Step 50 comprises introducing a burrow barrier system for controllingiguana from laying eggs and digging a tunnel system underground asurface structure (SS). FIG. 5 illustrates another element, a wire-meshdeck barrier 502, of a system for controlling iguana infestation inaccordance with an embodiment. The subsurface barrier under the surfacestructure SS comprises creating an anti-hole barrier. Creating theanti-hole barrier includes locating the hole and/or burrow B, wideningthe area to a two feet by two feet area with the hole in the center ofthe widened area, collapsing the hole, and placing a two feet by twofeet piece of mesh 502, covering the area with dirt. For example, themesh is a half inch squares, galvanized metal nineteen gauge, welded,metal mesh.

For the anti-hole barrier, dig around the hole B being careful to keephole intact. Dig down approximately 1 foot and widen area to two feet bytwo feet area with the hole in the center. Cut mesh piece to fit thearea (2′×2′). For example, the mesh may be ½″ squares, 36″ tall,galvanized metal mesh with a nineteen gauge, welded metal. Collapse holeand cover with mesh 502. Cover entire area with dirt and monitorfollowing week for any activity.

Optionally, the burrow barrier may be a water wall barrier comprisingpreventing seawall access by iguanas by placing a wrap over a hole inthe sea wall. Then securing the wrap to hold in place such that the wrapprevents iguanas from digging holes further and also from climbing thewalls. For example, the wrap is a cut of size eight inch by fifteeninches. This may be a best case where allowed but not less than twelveinches high.

In one example, the wrap may be attached to the wall using a rivet. Theuser may use a hammer drill to make half inch (½″) deep hole with aboutquarter inch (¼″) diameter for inserting a rivet. Place wrap over holeand use punch to make hole in wrap. Next step may involve placing thewrap over the hole in sea wall and punching rivet to hold wrap in place.These rivets may be place both at the top edge and bottom edge of thewrap. Further example may involve placing the rivet every 8″ along topof wrap (which is placed within ½″ of top of sea wall on water side ofseawall) and place rivet every 16″ on bottom within ½″ from bottom edge.Place all rivets so they are in equal spaces from each other and offersuniformed appearance. Continue placing the wrap until you reach the endof seawall.

Step 60 comprises introducing a sea wall barrier system for preventingan iguana from climbing into waterfront properties (e.g., deck D in FIG.3 ) from the water W. The water barrier comprises an end cap 300 createdfor an overhanging seawall S, which prevents iguanas from climbing up oracross the sea wall. The end cap 300 is a smooth acute angled cap on theedge of the wall wherein the cap projects out at an acute angle to thesea wall's vertical surface.

The end cap 300 may measure from six inch (6″) over hanging sea wall Sto fence and/or wall barrier, etc. on property. The process of preparinga sea wall can include measuring down four inch (4″) from edge ofoverhanging sea wall, measure back from this point to sea wall face. Cutone or more PVC sticks to fit and assemble “square” with tab overhangingseawall. Assemble with angle and flat braces. Attach mesh to one side.Take 12″ strips and cover top and side edge overhanging seawall withzips. Anchor into seawall with screws and brackets. PVC shouldpreviously be painted the color of wrap being used.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to beillustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-describedembodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination witheach other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the embodimentswithout departing from its scope. While the dimensions, types ofmaterials, and coatings described herein are intended to define theparameters of the embodiments, they are by no means limiting and areexemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to thoseof skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope ofthe embodiments should, therefore, be determined with reference to theappended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which suchclaims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms“first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and arenot intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further,the limitations of the following claims are not written inmeans-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted basedon 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claimlimitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statementof function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose various embodiments,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the various embodiments of the description, includingmaking and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporatedmethods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments is defined bythe claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilledin the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope ofthe claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differfrom the literal language of the claims, or if the examples includeequivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from theliteral languages of the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for protecting an area of realproperty from an iguana, the method comprising: installing a landbarrier to a fence positioned at a perimeter of the area of realproperty to be protected to prevent the iguana from walking into thearea, the land barrier comprising a plurality of fence barriers and aplurality of fence wraps, wherein each fence barrier extends from ahorizontal rail of the fence positioned near a ground surface to eachrespective fence wrap, wherein at least one of the plurality of fencewraps is attached to an external face of the fence, wherein each fencewrap on the external face of the fence includes a substantially flatfirst surface in contact with the external face of the fence; andwherein each fence wrap is positioned at a spaced distance from a groundsurface, and each fence wrap includes a substantially flat secondsurface opposite the substantially flat first surface, the secondsurface being a smooth surface; and installing a climbing barrier toprevent the iguana from climbing up a tree and entering the area to beprotected from above, wherein the climbing barrier comprises at leastone tree wrap coupled to at least one tree; wherein each fence wrap andeach tree wrap consists of one of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) orpolyethylene high-density (PEHD), and each fence wrap and each tree wrapis installed such that a smooth surface is exposed, preventing theiguana from climbing past the respective wrap.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein each fence wrap is positioned at least one and a half feet abovethe ground surface.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality offence wraps further comprises at least one fence wrap positioned on aninternal-facing surface of the fence, the internal-facing surface beingthe surface facing the area to be protected.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising: installing a subsurface barrier around a hole orburrow at the perimeter of the area to be protected to prevent theiguana from entering the area, the subsurface barrier comprising a pieceof mesh, wherein the installing the subsurface barrier comprises a stepof widening an area around the hole or burrow, a step of collapsing thehole with dirt, and a step of positioning the piece of mesh over thecollapsed hole; and wherein the installing the subsurface barrierfurther comprises a step of covering the mesh with dirt.
 5. The methodof claim 1, wherein the installing the climbing barrier furthercomprising filling a space between each tree wrap and a surface of thetree with spray foam.
 6. A method for protecting an area of realproperty from an iguana, the method comprising: installing a landbarrier to a fence positioned at a perimeter of the area of realproperty to be protected to prevent the iguana from walking into thearea, the land barrier comprising a plurality of fence barriers and aplurality of fence wraps, wherein each fence barrier extends from ahorizontal rail of the fence positioned near a ground surface to eachrespective fence wrap, wherein at least one of the plurality of fencewraps is attached to an external face of the fence, wherein each fencewrap on the external face of the fence includes a substantially flatfirst surface in contact with the external face of the fence; andwherein each fence wrap is positioned at a spaced distance from a groundsurface, and each fence wrap includes a substantially flat secondsurface opposite the substantially flat first surface, the secondsurface being a smooth surface; installing at least one water barrier toprevent the iguana from crawling into the area to be protected from abody of water adjacent to the perimeter of the area, the at least onewater barrier comprising a piling wrap secured around a piling in thebody of water such that the piling wrap is above the body of water; andinstalling a climbing barrier to prevent the iguana from climbing up atree and entering the area to be protected from above, wherein theclimbing barrier comprises at least one tree wrap coupled to at leastone tree; wherein each fence wrap, each piling wrap, and each tree wrapconsists of one of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylenehigh-density (PEHD), and each fence wrap, each piling wrap, and eachtree wrap is installed such that a smooth surface is exposed, preventingthe iguana from climbing past the respective wrap.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein each fence wrap is positioned at least one and a halffeet above the ground surface.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein theplurality of fence wraps further comprises at least one fence wrappositioned on an internal-facing surface of the fence, theinternal-facing surface being the surface facing the area to beprotected.
 9. The method of claim 6, further comprising installing asubsurface barrier around a hole or burrow at the perimeter of the areato be protected to prevent the iguana from entering the area, thesubsurface barrier comprising a piece of mesh; wherein the installingthe subsurface barrier comprises a step of widening an area around thehole or burrow, a step of collapsing the hole with dirt, a step ofpositioning the piece of mesh over the collapsed hole, and a step ofcovering the mesh with dirt.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein the atleast one water barrier further includes an end cap configured toprevent the iguana from climbing up or across the seawall from the bodyof water to the adjacent area of real property, the end cap having aportion that hangs over the seawall.
 11. The method of claim 10, whereinthe end cap comprises one of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) orpolyethylene high-density (PEHD) forming a smooth surface that projectsat an acute angle relative to the vertical surface of the seawall. 12.The method of claim 6, wherein the installing the climbing barrierfurther comprising filling a space between each tree wrap and a surfaceof the tree with spray foam.